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Closing Arguments In Judge Trial

By KRWG News

El Paso – A judge in El Paso accused of offering court favors in exchange for cash and sex did not testify before the defense rested in his federal trial.

Closing arguments were scheduled Wednesday in the trial of 54-year-old State District Judge Manuel Barraza. Both sides rested Tuesday.

Barraza, who took office in early 2009, was arrested in April after law officers received a tip that led to the undercover investigation.

Barraza's sister, in defense testimony Tuesday, said she had worked for her brother for 27 years in private law practice and referred dozens of his pending cases to other attorneys.

Barraza is charged with three counts of wire fraud, deprivation of honest services and making a false statement to federal agents. Each count carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.